Page 17 of A Cowboy's Heart

As she rode closer toward Devin, she could feel the heat pouring into her cheeks. Nudging her horse a little harder, she moved to get in front of some other riders, including Judy. She didn’t want to be at the back of the line with Devin. He didn’t seem to care as she rode past him and out into the sunshine. Taking her sunglasses out of her blouse pocket, Willa slipped them on.

****

Devin couldn’t get over Willa being catty. He hadn’t known her long, but she didn’t come across as being a jealous woman. He’d never been the type of man who wanted women competing for his attention. Willa already had it. No one else. She was the woman he wanted, and he wouldn’t care if Judy paraded around nude in front of him. Now, if Willa tried to do it, he’d be more than happy to let her.

Watching her ride toward him, he noticed Willa wouldn’t look at him as she rode past, and then put her sunglasses on. She was so beautiful. Today she wore a white, sleeveless blouse tucked into tight jeans that stretched across her backside. He hadn’t been able to keep his eyes off her ass when he saw her standing at her horse with her back to him. He’d been hopingshe needed help up onto her horse, so he could get close to her. Then she made the statement about always having been able to mount on her own.

Motherfucker!All he needed was his dick to start straining against his jeans. It would be damn uncomfortable sitting in the saddle with a hard-on. Blowing out a breath, he followed the line of riders out of the barn and down to the trail. He couldn’t see Willa at all. She was going to avoid him now because she was embarrassed by her behavior. Chuckling, he thought of her getting him away from the other woman. She seriously didn’t think he was interested in that woman, did she?

Admittedly, the woman was attractive. He had noticed that much about her but she had nothing on Willa. He recognized her for what she was, no better than one of the buckle bunnies who hung around the rodeo circuit. She was definitely coming on to him.

“I’m Judy,” she said turning to look at him as he approached.

“Ma’am,” he said as he put his fingers to the brim of his hat

She smiled at him. “I signed up for the cattle drive tomorrow too.”

Devin had no idea what to say to that since he was leading that excursion too. The group would head out on Thursday and return Saturday, and that night was the farewell dance.

“Yes, ma’am,” he said as he shifted in the saddle, making the leather creak.

“Please call me Judy. Ma’am makes me soundold, andI’mnot old.”

He could feel his temper rising at the implied dig at Willa. Thisgirlhad nothing on that beautiful woman and she never would. Judy was probably just barely over twenty-one. Way too young.Whoa!He was maybe ten years older than she was and he immediately thought she was too young. Just like Willa had thought he was too young for her.

“Howoldare you, Judy?” He shook his head. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked that.”

She giggled.Giggled!“I don’t mind. I’m twenty-two. What about you?”

Twenty-two. Nine years difference. Just like Willa and him.Damn it!But this thing with Willa was different. They were both mature, and he knew she would never giggle. She had a full-bodied laugh, and he loved it. Judy made him wince when she’d giggled just now because she sounded like a teenager. Hell, she was barely out of her teens.

“Thirty-one,” he said and looked ahead to see the line of riders had moved a good bit ahead of them. “We need to catch up.” He jerked his head to the line.

Judy looked ahead then smiled at him. “Why would I want to do that? I like talking with you. Maybe we could have dinner together one night.”

“I’m sorry, but there’s no socializing between guests and staff.”

“Really? Because I saw you coming on to Willa at the pool.” Her eyes narrowed as she looked at him.

“We were just talking, and I don’t have toexplain myself to you. Please catch up with the others.”

Huffing, she glared at him then nudged her horse to move. He hoped she got the message and backed off. Now she had him thinking about Willa’s decision not to be with him. No. That was different. He was a grown ass man, not some horny young teenager who had no idea how to act around a woman.Christ!This wasn’t sitting well with him at all. He really needed to speak to Willa. Maybe if she would just talk with him. Get to know him as the man he is. A man who wanted her. Wanted to be with her. He’d never wanted a woman more, and she was letting this age thing come between them. He wasn’t some immature boy.

Nudging his horse, Devin caught up with the others.

****

Willa refused to look back again. When she’d glanced back earlier, she saw Judy and Devin had stopped and were talking. Judy was what he needed. She was younger than he was, and they probably had more in common than she would with him.Then why does it bother you?She could not be interested in a relationship with him. It would be a mistake. She was leaving here in a little over three weeks, and she’d never see him again. That thought hurt her more than she was willing to admit and she hadn’t even known him a week.

Devin was such a sexy man. A hot,youngerman. But he was a man. There was no doubting that. Some of the men in Hollywood, who wereolder than he was, didn’t act as mature as he did. To her, they seemed more like boys. She sighed. What was she going to do? She wanted him but why start something when she could lose her heart? There was the problem. She could lose her heart to him and what good would that do her in the end? Once she was back in Hollywood, she’d be a mess knowing that she left a man behind she could’ve loved.Love?

No, she couldn’t fall for him. Except she’d never felt the way she did around any other man. Rocky was a heartthrob, but he did nothing for her. Then she comes to Montana and meets a cowboy who she knows would rock her world. He was too sexy not to.You’ve only known him three days!

“How are you doing?” Devin asked from beside her.

“Still feeling embarrassed about acting like a jealous shrew. That’s not me, Devin,” she said as she glanced over at him.

“I know that. You just surprised me by acting that way. I wasn’t sure what had gotten into you. I know you couldn’t be jealous of her.”

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